Patents by Inventor Bruce Torrey

Bruce Torrey has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20070108296
    Abstract: The present invention provides compatibility of radio frequency identification (RFID) with devices that interfere with radio signals. An RFID tag is positioned at a particular location inside of a chamber of a device or object to be identified, such as a metallic chamber of a pallet, and spaced away from metallic structures by a gap. The RFID tag is tuned to the chamber by positioning the tag at a location in which radio waves entering the chamber are reflected and received by the RFID tag rather than being absorbed or affected by interference. Because of the tuning, the device or object to be identified is utilized as an antenna for the RFID tag. The RFID tag can be integrated into the structure carrying the tag rather than merely attached to the structure, for example on an outside surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: John Konopka, Bruce Torrey
  • Publication number: 20070020460
    Abstract: The present invention relates to composite coating systems and methods for the manufacture and reconstruction of condensate pans, floors or other internal structures of a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) or heating ventilation air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) unit. The composite coating system comprises a base epoxy coating and a top surface coating. The base epoxy coating is substantially free of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and adheres to the condensate pans, floors or other internal structures of the HVAC or HVACR unit to fill pinholes and to provide corrosion and water resistance, and the top surface coating provides a barrier to high thermal exposure of the base coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: Bruce Torrey, Thomas Clinton
  • Publication number: 20050004281
    Abstract: The invention relates to plastic pallets that pass the Underwriters Laboratory UL 2335 protocol for pallets wherein said pallets comprises at least one resin selected from the group consisting of: (a) polyphenylene ether resin and blends containing polyphenylene ether resin, (b) polycarbonate resin and blends containing polycarbonate resin, (c) vinyl aromatic graft copolymer resin; (d) polyetherimide resin and blends containing polyetherimide resin, and (e) thermosetting resins. In a preferred embodiment, the plastic pallet has an open deck design. The invention also relates to a method to make pallets that pass the UL 2335 protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Adeyinka Adedeji, Geoffrey Riding, Bruce Torrey
  • Patent number: 6758148
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes at least one pallet member having external surfaces and a flame retardant material affixed to at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of the external surfaces of the pallet member. A pallet includes a container, tote bin, or any other suitable device used for the storage and transportation of items. In accordance with the invention, a method of fire blocking a pallet assembly includes the step of providing a pallet assembly that can include at least one pallet member having external surfaces. The method also can include affixing a flame retardant material to at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of the external surfaces of the pallet member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Chep International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Torrey, Neil Schultz
  • Patent number: 6745703
    Abstract: A composite pallet member that provides enhanced performance characteristics. A composite pallet member comprising at least one deck member having a first surface and a second surface. The deck member having a plurality of open spaces and a strengthening layer positioned against at least one of the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Chep International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Torrey, Neil Schultz
  • Publication number: 20030079658
    Abstract: A composite pallet member that provides enhanced performance characteristics. A composite pallet member comprising at least one deck member having a first surface and a second surface. The deck member having a plurality of open spaces and a strengthening layer positioned against at least one of the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce Torrey, Neil Schultz
  • Publication number: 20030079660
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes at least one pallet member having external surfaces and a flame retardant material affixed to at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of the external surfaces of the pallet member. A pallet includes a container, tote bin, or any other suitable device used for the storage and transportation of items. In accordance with the invention, a method of fire blocking a pallet assembly includes the step of providing a pallet assembly that can include at least one pallet member having external surfaces. The method also can include affixing a flame retardant material to at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of the external surfaces of the pallet member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce Torrey, Neil Schultz